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Christopher Whitt, Ph.D. Bio
Christopher M. Whitt, Ph.D serves as the University of Denver’s Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In his role, he leads collaborative efforts fostering progress in diversity, equity and inclusion across the university while weaving those principles into the fabric of the university community while also leading the Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion and holding tenure in the political science department. Dr. Whitt works to coordinate the institution’s efforts from the perspectives of solidarity and justice by working with every office, department, and unit across campus while also aiming engage with community partners. Additionally, he serves as a member of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education’s board of directors.
Prior to arriving at the University of Denver in April of 2021 he spent three years at Creighton University as their inaugural Vice Provost for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. In that capacity he led the creation of numerous structures and practices advancing diversity and inclusion across the institution including establishing the President’s Inclusive Excellence Leadership Council, founding the Union Pacific Diversity Scholars Program, and leading the university’s antiracism efforts. While serving at Creighton Whitt collaborated with colleagues in Catholic higher education along with leaders from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities to establish the Consortium of Diversity Officers in Catholic Higher Education.
Dr. Whitt spent over a decade serving at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL where he was an Associate Professor of Political Science, Chair of the Political Science Department, a co-founder of the Africana Studies Program, and founding Director of the Center for Inclusive Leadership and Equity. For his work in the classroom and in the community Dr. Whitt was awarded the National Conference of Black Political Scientists’ “2013 Anna Julia Cooper Teacher of the Year Award” and their 2017 “Fannie Lou Hamer Outstanding Community Service Award,” and awarded The Rock Island County NAACP’s Civil Rights Hero Award in 2017 among other recognitions.
Dr. Whitt earned his Ph.D in Political Science and his M.A. in Political Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. His B.A. in Political Science is from Salisbury University in Maryland. |
